COMMUNITY NETWORK FOR MANCHESTER

CN4M Bulletin - 120207

EMAIL BULLETIN – 12th February 2007

The Community Network for Manchester (CN4M) is part of the Manchester
Partnership (MP) that works specifically on behalf of voluntary and
community groups. CN4M is creating a more powerful voice for the voluntary
and community sectors in Manchester. For more information about the
Community Network for Manchester and to view contact details please visit
our website at www.cn4m.net


1.0 Network News
2.0 Training
3.0 Events
4.0 Information
5.0 Jobs

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1.0 Network News

1.1 Community Network for Manchester Strategy Group Meeting

The next CN4M Strategy Group meeting will take place on Tuesday 13th
February 2007.

The papers for the meeting have been sent out by email. If you require the
papers in a different format please contact Clare Vermes 0161 234 2916 or
mailto:clare@cn4m.net.

The papers are also available on the CN4M website
http://www.cn4m.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=16&Itemid=41

2.0 Training

2.1 Women's Sewing, Fabrics and Art Session
This free session will be taking place on Thursday 22nd February at St
Johns Church, Waterloo Rd, Cheetham Hill from 10am - 1pm.

All welcome, bring a favourite piece of material, learn a new skill, make
friends, relax...

Free Halal Lunch and free Henna Mendhi

For more information about the session contact Naomi at Zest on 0161 277
8846.

2.2 Service User Involvement

Throughout March 2007 GMCVO is running a series of subsidised training
sessions on service user involvement in supported housing.

Training Session 1: Introduction to Service User Involvement
March 9th 2007, all day (lunch inc.)

Training session 2: Developing service user involvement in Sheltered and
Supported Housing
Date: March 14th 2007, all day (lunch inc.),
Training session 3: Strategic Planning for Service User Involvement
Date: March 28th 2007, 1.45 - 4.45pm

The cost of each training session is £15. These courses are only open to
voluntary sector organisations. Places are limited so please book early.
For more information and a copy of the booking form please visit the website.
http://www.gmcvo.org.uk/viewpage.php?recid=1369

3.0 Events

3.1 Spoilt for Choice: Research Methods - Picking the right one for
voluntary sector research projects

Tuesday 15th May 2007 GMCVO, St Thomas Centre 10.30am - 3.45pm

Researchers from both the academic and voluntary sectors will present case studies of their own research projects.

The voluntary and community sector (VCS) is increasingly involved in doing
research, whether it is to inform the sector's own practice or to document
the impact that the sector has on society at large. Yet, choosing the
right methodology often proves difficult for researchers from the voluntary
sector, many of whom are self-taught practitioners. This conference aims
to showcase research projects about and by the voluntary sector and the
methodologies employed by the research.

It will feature projects from academic researchers, as well as of those
conducted by practitioners. In a combination of presentations and
workshops the conference will give attendees a chance to gain a deeper insight into the rationale for choosing certain methodologies over others, their
advantages and disadvantages, their appropriateness in different
situations, as well as the nuts and bolts of using them.

The seminar is aimed at VCS staff and volunteers involved in producing
research, policy-makers in local and regional government, local strategic
partnerships and regeneration teams.

Contacts for further information: Bookings: Susan Barrett, GMCVO, 0161 277
1001, mailto:sue.barrett@gmcvo.org.uk
Event content: Susanne Martikke, GMCVO, 0161 277 1031,
mailto:susanne.martikke@gmcvo.org.uk or David Sutcliffe, GMCVO, 0161 277 1011, mailto:david.sutcliffe@gmcvo.org.uk

3.2 Money Mentors FREE 'back to basics' Debt Advice Course

East Manchester's 'Money Mentors' project, part of New Deal for
Communities, aim to deliver a 1 hour training session to voluntary group leaders
working within the Beacons - Beswick, Clayton & Openshaw area.

If you are a voluntary group leader, looking to improve your knowledge
around:
dealing with debts
bills that should be a priority
consequences in not paying
applying for financial help bailiffs
The session will be delivered around the end of February, date, time &
venue still to be agreed. Anyone interested in booking a place should contact
Nicola or Elaine on 0161 230 2100.

3.3 Social Enterprise Networking Event

Thursday 22 February, 7pm to 9pm at the Yard Theatre, 41 Old Birley
Street, Hulme, Manchester M15 5RF

An enjoyable social event with business benefits for co-operatives, social
enterprises, freelancers and social enterprise support agencies. Organised
by co-operative practitioners, Lucy Williams, Jo Bird and Sion Wellens. We
want to grow and strengthen the co-operative and social enterprise sector
in Greater Manchester through effective networking.

The event is free and there will be a collection towards the cost of
making this event happen. Kim by the Sea cafe may be open for meals and drinks.
Please confirm your attendance mailto:lucy.williams@cooperatives-uk.coop

3.4 SUN need your support and your talents to make it work.

If you can spare some time to get involved you could make all the difference. The next SUN (Service Users Network)meetings are:

Main meetings: Tuesday 13th February and Tuesday 13th March at 2.30 pm at
Methodist Central Hall, Oldham Street.

Volunteer planning meeting: Monday 12th February at 2.00 pm at NEARIS, 4th
Floor Swan Buildings, 20 Swan Street, Manchester, M4 5JW.

Bus fares will be covered and there will be tea and coffee as usual.
Please call Angwen on 0161 834 1661 if anyone has anyone questions or you need any support to attend.

3.5 Positive Activities for Young People Event - Friday 16th February 2007

This free event at the City of Manchester Stadium (Commonwealth Suite)
will be taking place from 12pm to 4pm and is aimed at all projects working with
young people aged 13 -18 in Manchester.

Come along and take part in activities, promote your project and meet
others! You can:
Have a stall to promote your service
Bring along a group of young people
Put on an activity for others to enjoy
Have a ground tour (limited availability)

Get match day tickets for MCFC vs Wigan on Saturday 3rd March (10 tickets
max per agency, young people must be accompanied to the match). For more
information and to get a booking form contact Jeff or Claire at 4CT on
0161 230 1420

3.6 'The Vagina Monologues' by Eve Ensler

A local group in Wythenshawe are putting on 2 performances of a powerful
and moving play 'The Vagina Monologues' by Eve Ensler to raise funds &
awareness of violence against women and girls.
The performances are:
Sat 17th Feb 2pm
Fri 2nd March 7.30pm

Tickets are £3 (£1 conc.) available from
mailto:treasurer@breadbreakers.co.uk or Tel. 0161 437 4392 and leave a
brief message about booking.
Venue: St. Marks United Reformed Church/Tree of Life Centre, Oatlands
Road, Woodhouse Park, Wythenshawe M22 6AH

3.7 Celebrating Women's Contribution to the Voluntary Sector - 7th March
2007 10am -12.30pm

This free event taking place at the St Thomas Centre pays tribute to the
two thirds of the voluntary sector workforce who are women.

Speakers include:
Angie Robinson, GM Chamber of Commerce
Priscilla Nkwenti, Black Health Agency
Sylvia Sham, Wai Yin

For more information and bookings call 0161 277 1014 or visit
www.gmcvo.org.uk

4.0 Information

4.1 Office Space to Let

The Greenfish Resource Centre has some available office space to let from
the beginning of March. The centre is a hub for local community &
regeneration organisations including Voluntary Action Manchester, CTAC and
Community Arts North West, who benefit from reasonable rents; a wide
variety of shared services and the benefits of sharing space with other like
minded organisations. Tenants not only have their own office space, but also use of the 3 communal meeting rooms, and kitchen spaces within the building.
The building is run by the Ethical Property Company, and is one of 12
centres that we have set up across the country to support social
change/regeneration organisations.
If this sounds like it might be of interest to you, please
mailto:janine@ethicalproperty.co.uk. If you would like to find out more
about the Ethical Property Company in general, please visit our website
www.ethicalproperty.co.uk

4.2 Now Let's Talk Money - helping people get a better deal

The purpose of the Campaign is to raise awareness of financial exclusion
which can impose real costs on both individuals and on society as:

People without bank accounts pay more to access their cash, cannot take
advantage of direct debit discounts for utilities, and often find it hard
to find employment;
Lack of access to affordable credit means that people have to borrow from
very high cost providers, or worse, illegal loan sharks, which can create
a cycle of debt from which it is difficult to escape.

Through the work of the campaign manager the Campaign will increase the
amount of advice and support available to people in their communities,
from those that they trust.

Therefore organisations that come into contact with people that face
financial exclusion can apply to access free training for frontline staff
and volunteers.

The training will help local organisations to understand the issues around
financial exclusion, and equip them with the knowledge to pass on
practical information and advice to help people take control of their finances.

To find out more contact your local Campaign Manager, Ciara Morrison by
mailto:Ciara.morrison@abcul.org or call 0161 819 6990 / 079189 690312.

4.3 Revolution IT Recycling

Revolution IT Recycling collect any unwanted IT equipment free of charge.
Computer donations will benefit people on low incomes, community groups
and people setting up for the first time.

For more information mailto:revolutionrecycling@yahoo.com or phone 0161
273 5717 / 07793 582 946

4.4 Manchester Community Transport Board Members
Manchester Community Transport based in Northern Moor Wythenshawe are
looking for Board Members to assist in the expansion of this social
enterprise.
Board meetings monthly with sub committees early evening with buffet
provided. Interested? then telephone Bernard Caine, Chair on 0161 902 9221

0161 238 4920 or mailto:caine@btinternet.com

4.5 Irwell City Park Project

In May 2007 Manchester and Salford City Councils, Central Salford Urban
Regeneration Company and Trafford MBC, will submit a bid for £25 million
to the Living Landmarks Big Lottery Fund. This bid is to fund an urban city
park - stretching from The Quays through to Manchester City Centre and
onto Peel Park, close to Salford University. The project is being referred to
as Irwell City Park.

The vision for the Irwell City Park project is to transform the riverside
into an accessible, attractive and vibrant waterfront offering social and
economic benefits to neighbourhoods along the River.

People can give feedback by clicking on:
http://www.salford.gov.uk/living/regeneration/irwellcitypark/haveyoursay.htm

For general information, see www.irwellcitypark.info

People can also send general comments to Patrick Hanfling (or if they
would like more details) by mailto:p.hanfling@manchester.gov.uk or by phone on 0161 234 4093.

4.6 New Pocket Guide Introducing Funding and Finance for Voluntary and
Community Organisations launched following the popularity of the Introductory Pack on Funding and Finance launched last year, NCVO's Sustainable Funding Team has now produced an A6-sized mini pocket version.This resource was also commissioned by the Finance Hub and is part of a larger toolkit for funding advisors due to be launched in March.The pocket guide provides a snap-shot of sector funding and basic exercises to guide voluntary and community organisations through the topics covered.The pocket guide is lightweight, easily slipped into a bag or pocket, and is an ideal primer for very small and new VCOs - or for those new to the concept of sustainable funding and the wider funding environment.
Copies are available on request by mailto:sfp@ncvo-vol.org.uk

4.7. Olympics lottery funding - NCVO's petition
The NCVO has established an online petition to ensure that voluntary and
community organisations are not unfairly penalised due to the increased
cost of the games. The NCVO petition aims to ensure that further National Lottery funds are not diverted from other good causes to pay for the rising cost of the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

You can sign the petition here: http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/Defend-funding,
and read the latest updates on the NCVO's campaign here:
www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/olympicslottery.

5.0 Jobs

5.1 Community Arts North West Administrative Assistant Vacancy
You will work as part of the core team to ensure the smooth running of our
busy office in the Northern Quarter, Manchester, which supports our
programme of participatory arts projects with excluded communities. You
will work as the first point of contact for visitors to CAN and be pro-actively
engaged in coordinating and implementing monitoring programmes and
administrative systems.
Salary £13,000 - fixed contract until 30th September 2007.
Based in Manchester's city centre.
For job description, and application pack contact Paul Williams on 0161
234 2975, or mailto:admin@can.uk.com
Closing date for completed application form (no CVs) 5pm on Monday 26th
February, Interview date: Tuesday 6th March.
We positively welcome applications from disabled people and all sectors of
the community. CAN is an equal opportunities employer.

5.2 Manchester Public Health Development Service Health Trainer
37.5hrs part-time (a minimum of 22.5 hours over 3 days) £12,177-£15,107 pa
pro rata Fixed term Contract until March 2009

Do you like working with people out in the community? Would you like to
help others find ways to improve their health and well being? Are you
keen to develop your skills? Then why not become one of a new team of Health
Trainers working in Manchester?

As a Health Trainer, you will work with local people to improve health and
well-being. You will be someone who is interested in health and who has
some understanding of the difficulties people can face in making healthier
choices.

Whilst you may not have worked in the health service before you will
have:-
• Experience of providing health and well being support to individuals
• Experience of working with local community groups

We will provide you with a full training and development programme.

We particularly welcome applications from men who are currently under
represented in our programme, and from people who can speak another
community language.

If you think this might be for you but you want to find out more call
Aurora on 0161 861 2902. Or come along to our open event at Manchester Town Hall
Tuesday 20th February between 10.00am-2.30pm (light refreshments
available).

Closing date: Friday 2nd March 2007. For an application form and job
details please either telephone 0161 862 9315 (24 hour answer phone) or
mailto:ApplicaR@manchester.nwest.nhs.uk, giving your full name, address
and job reference number 543/HT/431.

5.3 Recruiting Volunteers to Join an Independent Advisory Group [IAG]

What is an IAG

IAG members are independent from the police. They are a team of volunteers
who can be called upon to provide fair and non-biased advice to the
Divisional Command Team on a range of issue's, i.e. Critical Incidents,
Public Disorder, Community Safety, Internal Training, Diversity, Equality,
Policies and Procedure, etc. Ensuring local policing is delivered by
consent and is open, transparent and delivered with sensitivity.

Can I Volunteer

We are looking for individuals from all walks of life, with diverse
backgrounds and experiences who either live, or work in Bury. You will act
as a critical friend providing advice as appropriate. Members will be
required to have a commitment to improving police and community relations;
they must have integrity and observe confidentiality. This role is seen as
crucial to the continued improvement of policing in your area.

For further information

Contact: Javaid Akther, Community & Race Relations Officer, Greater
Manchester Police, Bury Divisional HQ, Irwell Street. Bury. BL9 0H. Tel:
0161 856 8087. The deadline for applications is: 12th February 07

If you have any information you would like to circulate in a future email
bulletin, please email mailto:catht@cn4m.net by Thursday 12.00pm the day
before. If you have any comments or suggestions about the email bulletin,
please email mailto:catht@cn4m.net.